Roosevelt Elk Calves Explore the Chuckanuts

Our third outing of the season was an exploration of the Chuckanuts via the North end trailhead through Arroyo Park. The Chuckanuts are a favorite location with many options for exploration and discovery. Late Fall is a particularly interesting time to explore this area since Chuckanut Creek often has salmon spawning upriver from bellingham bay. On this cold clear day the groups excitement was high and we quickly gathered and began moving.

We quickly hiked the steep switchbacks up to a trail junction where chose to take the trail that would take us down hill toward the creek and the potential to see spawning salmon. Once down at the creek we quickly saw the dorsal fins of several large Chum salmon making their way up stream. The group quickly dropped packs and headed to the bridge and shoreline to look at the salmon. It was truly impressive to see the powerful fish making their way through the swift current of Chuckanut creek. The Roosevelt Elk Calves all marveled at their movement and made keen observations of their activity. We had a great discussion on the bridge about how these fish spawn thousands of miles sometimes back to where they were born. The boys were enthusiastic and we spent a good chunk of time watching the salmon.

Soon we decided it was time to keep moving so we began to pack up in preparation to leave. As we packed up part of the group took off down the trail while the other part of the group was still packing up. We called the boys back from up ahead to wait for the rest of the group. After waiting for a while again the group began to spread out and not wait for everyone. Again we called the boys back and this time had everyone get into a circle. Tim and I told the boys what we expected and why it was important to stay together. The boys listened acutely as we expressed this and asked them what they needed to stay together better today. The roosevelt Elk Calves were able to really clearly articulate what they needed and where this urge to spread out was coming from. It was a really great discussion and highlighted the growth this group has gone through in the past year.

Once back on the trail we hiked upstream in search of more salmon and adventure. We soon reached a small sandy river bar with a large log to cross the creek on. One by one we made our way across the log and into the upland forest above the creek. The boys decided we should look for a good spot to drop packs, carve, and maybe play some games. We found a great flat spot between two sections of steep hill where we could set up a little basecamp. Everyone spread out and took the time to eat some lunch and adjust layers after the steep climb.

We spent the next hour harvesting cedar for carving wood, exploring the landscape and working on carving skills. The Roosevelt Elk Calves have shown an almost insatiable curiosity and drive to carve. Many of the boys have really been challenging themselves and their dedication has shown in the quality of their carving projects. After about an hour most of the boys had transitioned from carving and had found a sandstone outcropping on top of the hill with many fossils in it. The boys were totally content carving or exploring the fossils in this area.

As most of you know from our brief discussion after the outing one of the boys was hit in the head by a rock knocked down from above him as he climbed up the hill to investigate the fossils. The injury turned out to be OK. Tim and I quickly responded and took care of the injury. The rest of the boys showed a lot of maturity in how they handled the situation. They quickly responded to the directions Tim and I gave them and even packed up the injured boys gear to help us get out even quicker. We made our way down to the parking lot for an early pick up.

Luckily everything turned out fine and we were able to get the injured boy down to the parking lot and to the medical attention he needed. In our closing circle the boys brought up very insightful questions and observations about risk management, assisting others in hard situations, and what it means to be a cohesive group. Again I was really impressed by the Roosevelt Elk calves Maturity and insight when discussing these topics. The whole experience was not only a great learning opportunity for the boys but also for Tim and I. Our forefront priority while on these outings is to keep all of the boys safe and incidents like this help us solidify and reinforce our own risk management procedures.

Thank you Roosevelt Elk Calves for your growth as a group and thank you parents for your support of our program. Please be sure to look at our photo gallery for more pictures from the outing.

  

Roosevelt Elk Calves Explore the Chuckanuts

Our third outing of the season was an exploration of the Chuckanuts via the North end trailhead through Arroyo Park. The Chuckanuts are a favorite location with many options for exploration and discovery. Late Fall is a particularly interesting time to explore this area since Chuckanut Creek often has salmon spawning upriver from bellingham bay. On this cold clear day the groups excitement was high and we quickly gathered and began moving
We quickly hiked the steep switchbacks up to a trail junction where chose to take the trail that would take us down hill toward the creek and the potential to see spawning salmon. Once down at the creek we quickly saw the dorsal fins of several large Chum salmon making their way up stream. The group quickly dropped packs and headed to the bridge and shoreline to look at the salmon. It was truly impressive to see the powerful fish making their way through the swift current of Chuckanut creek. The Roosevelt Elk Calves all marveled at their movement and made keen observations of their activity. We had a great discussion on the bridge about how these fish spawn thousands of miles sometimes back to where they were born. The boys were enthusiastic and we spent a good chunk of time watching the salmon.

Soon we decided it was time to keep moving so we began to pack up in preparation to leave. As we packed up part of the group took off down the trail while the other part of the group was still packing up. We called the boys back from up ahead to wait for the rest of the group. After waiting for a while again the group began to spread out and not wait for everyone. Again we called the boys back and this time had everyone get into a circle. Tim and I told the boys what we expected and why it was important to stay together. The boys listened acutely as we expressed this and asked them what they needed to stay together better today. The roosevelt Elk Calves were able to really clearly articulate what they needed and where this urge to spread out was coming from. It was a really great discussion and highlighted the growth this group has gone through in the past year.

Once back on the trail we hiked upstream in search of more salmon and adventure. We soon reached a small sandy river bar with a large log to cross the creek on. One by one we made our way across the log and into the upland forest above the creek. The boys decided we should look for a good spot to drop packs, carve, and maybe play some games. We found a great flat spot between two sections of steep hill where we could set up a little basecamp. Everyone spread out and took the time to eat some lunch and adjust layers after the steep climb.

We spent the next hour harvesting cedar for carving wood, exploring the landscape and working on carving skills. The Roosevelt Elk Calves have shown an almost insatiable curiosity and drive to carve. Many of the boys have really been challenging themselves and their dedication has shown in the quality of their carving projects. After about an hour most of the boys had transitioned from carving and had found a sandstone outcropping on top of the hill with many fossils in it. The boys were totally content carving or exploring the fossils in this area.

As most of you know from our brief discussion after the outing one of the boys was hit in the head by a rock knocked down from above him as he climbed up the hill to investigate the fossils. The injury turned out to be OK. Tim and I quickly responded and took care of the injury. The rest of the boys showed a lot of maturity in how they handled the situation. They quickly responded to the directions Tim and I gave them and even packed up the injured boys gear to help us get out even quicker. We made our way down to the parking lot for an early pick up.

Luckily everything turned out fine and we were able to get the injured boy down to the parking lot and to the medical attention he needed. In our closing circle the boys brought up very insightful questions and observations about risk management, assisting others in hard situations, and what it means to be a cohesive group. Again I was really impressed by the Roosevelt Elk calves Maturity and insight when discussing these topics. The whole experience was not only a great learning opportunity for the boys but also for Tim and I. Our forefront priority while on these outings is to keep all of the boys safe and incidents like this help us solidify and reinforce our own risk management procedures.

Thank you Roosevelt Elk Calves for your growth as a group and thank you parents for your support of our program. Please be sure to look at our photo gallery for more pictures from the outing.

  

Roosevelt Elk Calves work at Connelly Creek

The Roosevelt Elk Calves gathered for their Service outing under sunny skies and warm temperatures. This weekend was the start to our service outings and would require a lot of hard work to clear and create space for future work. We were all excited to see the Connelly Creek service site and what it would look like after not seeing it for a whole summer. Upon arrival we saw that the Hardhack, Spirea, and Alders we had planted the year before were flourishing. We saw that the reed canary grass and invasive blackberry had also flourished over the summer and would yet again need our attention.

After surveying the site we gathered in the sunshine for a quick opening meeting to review tool safety and finalize a plan for the day. The Roosevelt Elk Calves did an excellent job explaining proper tool use and demonstrating to each other the best practices with each tool. After breaking from our closing circle we quickly got to work.

Our first task was to clear morning glory that had climbed up the wire cages around the Alders as well as the small trees themselves. The work was slow and delicate as we carefully unwound the morning glory trying not to damage the more delicate leaves and branches of the sappelings. We also worked on clearing out the reed canary grass from around the base of the saplings to give them more space. This is an important task this time of year since by clearing the canary grass and morning glory we are allowing the tree to absorb more sunlight in these shortening days.

After the alders were clear we circled up to congratulate each other on our efforts and turn our focus to the next task at hand; blackberries. The blackberries are a tenacious plant that is extremely hard to get rid of. any small clipping left on the ground can re root itself and easily undo all of our work. with loppers and shovels in hand we approached the blackberry thicket and began carefully chopping and extracting the blackberry vines.  

The Roosevelt Elk Calves put in a couple hours of really focused hard work and made great progress on the blackberries. Even though this is a service outing we wanted to give the boys a little time at the end of the outing to focus on their carving since they showed so much skill and excitement about this last time. Some of the boys chose to make more chopsticks or finish existing chopsticks while others who had completed a nice pair of chopsticks moved on to carving spoon blanks. Again the Roosevelt Elk Calves handled their knives very well and showed a lot of natural talent at carving. After about half and hour of carving it was time to pack up and have a closing circle.

We had a wonderful closing circle with all of the boys sharing really heartfelt and sincere gratitude for the day, the work, and each other. The Roosevelt Elk Calves have come along way as a group and are a true pleasure to be out in the woods with. Individually all the boys have done a lot of personal growth and as a group they have really bonded. Thank you Roosevelt Elk Calves for a great service outing and thank you parents for your continual support and enthusiasm about our program. Please check out our photo gallery for more pictures from the day.  

Roosevelt Elk Calves Enjoy a day of Carving

The fickle weather of Fall was in full swing on the morning of the Roosevelt Elk Calves first outing. Scattered showers with intermittent sun breaks cycled on and off as we prepared for the outing. This season marks a huge step forward for the Roosevelt Elk Calves as we are introducing the art of carving. More so than many of our other skills the art of carving is one that we approach slowly and with a great amount of commitment and respect. Over the past few seasons the Roosevelt Elk Calves have proved themselves as a focused and ever maturing group that is ready for this challenge.

We walked into the forest via a lower path that is not often frequented by mountain bikers or dog walkers. We kept an eye out for a spot that would be both a suitable place for an opening meeting and a nice spot to carve. After a while of hiking we found such a spot and set up our base camp for the day. We had observed a downed bigleaf maple on the hike in and decided it would be the perfect tree to harvest from for our carving wood. Big leaf maple is a hard wood, but also one that has a smooth consistent grain for practicing carving. We quickly sawed and split enough wood for everyone to work with.

During our opening circle Tim and I made it very clear that the boys wood not only have to demonstrate focus and skill individual when working with knives, but also as a group. We reviewed blood circlesand talked about some basic safety around carving (not carving told yourself, having a comfortable spot to sit, not cutting toward other body parts, etc). After setting the tone for the day we distributed the carving wood and told the Roosevelt Elk Calves that our first project would be to make chopsticks. Chopsticks are a good first project because they can be completed in a day, require you to carve a tapering cylinder, and you must carve two things that are close to identical. With the task clear the boys started carving.

All the boys showed great care with the knives, besides a few small things we did not have to remind them of any safety issues. As the boys carved their chopsticks their skills grew; They made smaller more precise cuts and over all showed an immense amount of patience. We had a solid hour and a half of carving before anyone wanted to anything else. At this point we took a lunch break and all admired eachothers carving. After this many of the boys had focused enough for the day and decided to organize a game ofSpiders Web and a handful of boys decided to keep working on their carving. For the remainder of the outing the boys that were carving showed total focus and dedication while the others had an excellent game of Spiders Web.  

During our closing circle many of the boys shared really profound and insightful lessons they felt carving had taught them. Everything from patience to confronting challenges that seem really big in life. The Roosevelt Elk Calves not only excelled at the hard skill of carving, but also were able to apply this to the bigger picture and context of their lives. Thank you Roosevelt Elk Calves for your focus and  hard work on our outing! Parents, please encourage your boys to carve at home if you have the space and feel comfortable letting them. Carving is a skill that can take a lifetime to perfect and these boys are well on their way. Also if you still need to get a knife for your explorer or have other carving related questions please contact me or visit our knife skills page. Also be sure to look at our photo gallery for more pictures.       

Roosevelt Elk Calves Explore Intertidal life at Clayton Beach

The Roosevelt Elk Calves gathered in the parking lot above Clayton Beach for their final outing of the Spring season. The weather was warm and our energy was high as we made our way from the parking lot and into the woods for an opening circle. The shade offered by the towering red cedars and douglas firs was welcomed after the heat of the open parking lot. The boys led us down a deer trail to a small opening above a creek, here we dropped our packs and formed our circle.

This season the Roosevelt Elk Calves earth skills focus has been the skill of navigation. We had already spent sometime practicing more primitive forms of navigation, mainly songlines. (Which the boys still remembered word for word from our first outing!) This time we pulled out a map of the Chuckanuts and a compass. The boys crowded around the map and began to orient it in the right direction using the compass. Most of the boys showed a lot of interest in using the map and pinpointing our location on it. After a while of focused map work the boys were ready to explore the landforms we had been staring at on a map.

Jumping in the creek, finding fossils, throwing rocks, steep hillsides, slippery rocks, little caves, moss, dappled sunlight, laughter, mud, and adventure filled our exploration of the creek. After a while the boys began making their way up to the packs and we began to circle up to decide what to do next.

Making decisions in a big group can be a long process without the focus to listen to others and come to a collaborative decision. The Roosevelt Elk Calves could not hold a circle to make a plan for the rest of the day. It took a long time for them to finally bring their focus and energy to a place where they could work as a group and come up with a plan. As a mentor we are there to guide the boys, gently nudging them to come to these decisions rather than step in to make the choices for them. The Roosevelt elk calves eventually decided, in true Explorers Club fashion, that we would follow deer trails and bushwhack down to the beach instead of following the main trail.

Once moving we had a great time navigating the winding deer trails that traversed along the hillside parallel to the ocean. We soon made it down to the beach to find a low tide with plenty of room to explore the exposed eel grass. Packs off we began poking around in tide pools, lifting rocks, and finding all sorts of intertidal life. Aggregating Anemones hung from slimy rocks, lion's mane jellyfish lay cooking on the beach, sharp barnacles clustered on rocks, and crabs scurried away as we lifted rocks. A few of the boys came up the beach with a hooded nudibranch caught in an old geoduck shell. Looking out at the ocean we caught a brief glimpse of a dark head pop out of the water. We all stared out at the ocean waiting for it to resurface. Some people though a seal while others guessed otter. We soon saw the animal emerge again this time starring right at us as it chomped its teeth. It turned out to be a river otter and we watched as it happily swaim just off shore. Our next wildlife encounter was with a giant Geoduck pulled out of the mud. We all gathered around to look at the strange Mollusk that we had unearthed. After seeing this all the boys began digging along the tide line in search for more.

We spent the rest of our afternoon on the beach enjoying the sunshine and amazing wildlife encounters. Soon it was time to pack up our things and have a closing circle. We all expressed our thanks for the day as the tide crept in began lapping at the seaward side of the circle. With that cue we packed up and worked our way back along our diminishing beach. Thank you Roosevelt Elk Calves for an amazing season together! Parents thank you for your support throughout the season and for sending your boys out to explore with us. Your sons our well on their way to become proficient backcountry navigators! for more pictures please visit our photo gallery.  

Roosevelt Elk Calves and Branch Hoppers do Service at Connelly Creek

The sun was not only shining but also full of warmth as the Branch Hoppers and Roosevelt Elk Calves circled up in the large field adjacent to the Connelly Creek service site. For most of the boys this was their first look at the site since our efforts the previous Fall. We all took a moment to be proud of our work last Fall and recognize the work that other Explorers groups had already done this season. After these moments of reflection and recognition of our work it was time to turn our attention to our task today.

In our large circle we talked about using the tools with intention and keeping in mind blood circles and safety as we worked. After discussing the tools we moved on to talking about what exactly needed to get done today. The main work that needed to be done today was to move the rest of the mulch out over the flattened Reed Canary Grass and continue to cut back the black bearies that seemed to continually grow closer and closer to our site. Despite two other groups putting in many hours of hard work the day before the pile of mulch still stood tall.

Armed with buckets, rakes, and shovels the Roosevelt Elk Calves and the Branch Hoppers got to work on the mulch. While part of the boys shoveled the other part moved the large buckets of mulch out to the places it was needed. This effort took teamwork and planning since each bucket needed; one or two Explorers to fill it, three or four Explorers to move it and another couple to spread the emptied mulch. Both the Branch Hoppers and Roosevelt Elk Calves showed great work ethic and group coordination as they moved the mulch. After a solid hour and a half of work the mulch pile was flattened and we all stood, sweating, as we admired our work.

The boys ran after Steve as he led the way down to Connelly Creek for a refreshing head dunk in the Creeks chilly water. Reinvigorated the boys came back ready for the next task. Our next project was to begin clearing the back part of our service site of the invasive blackberry vines. The boys got to work lopping the vines, stacking the vines and moving them into large trash bags. Again the boys quickly figured out the most efficient assembly line for this task and coordinated it gracefully.

Soon it was time for the Branch Hoppers to leave Connelly creek. After bidding the Branch Hoppers farewell the Roosevelt Elk Calves turned to the task of gathering all the remaining blackberry clippings into piles to put into trash bags. blackberry is an incredibly resilient plant that can replant itself from just one clipping so the job of cleaning up all these scrapes was very important. The Roosevelt Elk Calves buckled down for the last bit of work to clean the service site before we left it.

Our day ended with some time to just play and explore the site that we had been working so hard on. The hard work is important, but so is connecting with the place your are doing the service work at. Laughter filled the site as the Roosevelt elk calves ran through the creek; jumping along the bank, and sometimes into the creek, to see what was around the next corner. Parents be sure to stop by connelly creek sometime and have your Explorer show you all the work they have been doing, it is really impressive. Thank you Explorers for you hard work this weekend! Be sure to look at our Branch hopper photo gallery and Roosevelt Elk Calves photo gallery for more pictures.    

Roosevelt Elk Calves climb Stewart Mountain

The Roosevelt Elk Calves gathered along the edge of North Lake Whatcom and under the loom of 3000 foot Stewart Mountain. This trailhead offers options of meandering trails along the edge of the lake or steep hillsides speckled with old growth trees and giant sword ferns. The Roosevelt Elk Calves Circled up and began to discuss how they wanted to spend their day. The nearly unanimous decision was to head up onto the steep slopes of Stewart Mountain. We began climbing the trail, but soon enough the Explorers had left the confines of this to blaze their own path straight up the mountain.

Getting off trail in Explorers Club always feels good and plays a key role in focusing the boys and turning their awareness toward what is going on in the woods around them. I often times have a moral dilemma regarding the impact of off-trail travel on the land with our own enjoyment. I always come back to the fact that we will never connect to the land unless we are off-trail exploring and finding new places. I voiced this to the group and the Roosevelt Elk Calves had a great discussion on what they get from being off-trail and recognizing the impact we have on it.

Clambering up the hillside finding big leaf maple buds, root handholds, muddy shoots, bugs, sandstone rock formations, and cedar wrapped around rotting stumps eventually led us to a flat spot between hills. At this bench we found a great muddy swamp to explore. The boys wearing boots tromped right through it while the boys wearing shoes hopped over rotting logs and along overhanging trees to explore the swamp. We were all drawn to the mud and soon enough we were all muddy and enjoying our exploration of swamp ecosystems.

The warm rays of sunshine that made their way through the canopy were welcome as we ate lunch under giant cedar trees rimming the edge of the swamp As we finished our lunch we all decided to play a game. We circled up to make this decision. Many of the boys could not hold the focus and we initially had a hard time working as a group to decide how to spend our afternoon. Eventually the boys came together and held a great discussion on what game to play. The Roosevelt Elk Calves truly took the Explorers Club motto Collaborate and Compromise to heart.

Our group had a couple great rounds of Eagle Eyes hiding amongst the tall sword ferns and and beneath logs. The Roosevelt Elk Calves have really been wanting a fire and have been very curious about the art of Fire by Friction so with some extra time at the end of the day we decided to introduce them to this skill. I pulled out a bow drill kit and our EMA (Explorers Mentor Apprentice) did a great job demonstrating good form and concentration while using the bow drill kit. After a few great attempts from our EMA, Tim and I quickly got a small fire going.

We had our closing circle around the dying flames from hemlock branches. We gave thanks and shared our apples as we always do. As our circle ended we made sure to put out our fire completely and disguise the spot we had had it in. Packing up we let gravity take us down the hill back down to the shore of the lake.

Roosevelt Elk Calves navigate Whatcom Falls Park

 Under drizzly skies Tim and I found shelter under the immense branches of a spruce tree in whatcom falls park. We didn’t have to wait long for the excited explorers to show up. It is always such a pleasure to see the boys excited no matter the weather, and their excitement is contagious enough to make me forget the weather as well. Happily we waited in the rain talking and sharing stories from our Winter season. Soon we had all the Explorers and headed into the woods.

Without fail the huge stone bridge that crosses Whatcom creek stops every group that goes over it. We hung our heads over watching the mesmerizing splash of water hitting rocks. We spied several birds flitting along the fringe of water and air. We made our way toward the slope that ran down toward the creek. Before making our way out onto the rocks that skirted the creek we stopped the boys to have a quick conversation about the hazards of going close to the creek on a wet day such as this. The boys raised each others awareness to the fact that the rocks were slippery from the rain and that we should not get too close to the edge or move too quickly while on the rocks. Sometimes all it takes in these moments is to slow the boys down enough to make good risk management decisions based on their own observations.

 We scrambled up a steep hillside and moved off trail and into the thick undergrowth where the Roosevelt Elk Calves are most at home. At the top of this hill the boys were immediately drawn to the giant root ball of an upturned Douglas Fir. The tree had left a deep depression in the grown with the roots reaching a good ten feet above this hole. Quickly the Roosevelt Elk Calves began laying sticks on the roots to create a fort. Though not quite a fully insulated and waterproof earth shelter like we had made in our fall season it was cool to see the boys using the same basic skills we had learned with shelter building to turn this root ball into a fort.

The boys continued to work on the fort; laying bark shingles over it, creating doors and other features, and using their creativity to turn this upturned root into a very cool fort. Afternoon like this where the whole group is collaborating on one project and using their creativity and imagination are truly magical to witness.

The Fort construction reached it’s peak so the group shifted gears. The Earth skills focus for our season is Navigation and particularly navigating without the aid of maps or compasses. This skill is an empowering one and can allow us to travel deeper into the woods we love to explore. The boys gathered as Tim and I began to explain Songlines (an old navigation technique) to the boys. We split into two groups intending to each make up our own songline then share ours with the other group in hopes of retracing eachothers steps.

After about twenty minutes we met back up ready to take navigate each others songlines. It was a great activity full of laughter and fun. Some of the Songlines the boys made up were very poetic with rimes and clever word choice to describe the landscape. Parents, next time you are out hiking with your Explorers ask them to teach you how to do a songline you will be both impressed by their navigation skills as well as their ability to rhyme and creatively explain their environment.

After the Songlines we gathered to have our closing circle and share our thanks and apples. The Roosevelt Elk Calves did a great job collaborating and making group decisions it has been really great to see this group grow together even in the course of just a few seasons. As always thank you explorers for your continual energy and curiosity and thank you parents for your support every season. Make sure to check out our photo galleryfor more pictures!

Roosevelt Elk Calves Traverse the Sehome Arboretum

We gathered at the base of the Sehome Arboretum for our final outing of the Fall season. Giant mulch pile provided a great training ground for our agility and ninja skills as we waited for everyone to arrive. After we had spent a while running up and down mulch piles we gathered under a stand of Douglas Firs for our opening meeting. Jobs, discussions about our day and a few rounds of Hungary Hungary Martin Were all we needed to get ready for our day

We made our way up the trail and stopped at the first map to decide on our route to the top. We gathered around the sign to identify what trails led where we wanted to go and to get a lay of the land. The Roosevelt Elk Calves began to talk amongst themselves regarding what route to take and where they wanted to go. Steve and I sat back and for the most part let the Explorers come to the decision. Making decisions as a group is a very important part of Explorers Club. Even though it can be a long and sometimes frustrating process, letting the boys do this as much as possible is really good. As a mentor we are really just there to guide their decision making skills rather than make these decision for them. We concluded that the Ridge trails would be the best approach to the towers and began our hike up.

Discovering interesting orange fungus, stopping to identify new trees and plants, running across routes, through mud, getting off the Trail, sandstone cliffs, safety, sliding down rocks, eating, laughing, hiding. The Arboretum offers some really amazing terrain and a cool opportunity to explore a place that is right in the middle of the city. We soon found a low gully filled with sword ferns, fallen trees, and Salal; A perfect spot to play Eagles Eye. They boys spread out and our “Eagle” counted as the rest of us hid. The Roosevelt Elk Calves were feeling a bit high energy for a hiding game so we kept walking toward the tower. Their energy was contagious and soon enough we were all moving at a brisk pass. Winding our way up steep paths, through sandstone cliffs and across valleys of sword fern we soon reached the lookout tower. From here we looked out West over the san juan islands, North toward the Canadian mountains, and watched the high pressure system move back in from the coast.

After leaving the tower we headed into a series of steep ridges and deep ravines to find a location for a sit spot and a closing meeting. As The boys trickled back in from their sit spots. Steve and I pulled out our Bow Drill Kits and began talking about fire by friction. As smoke rose from the bow drill sets the boys drew closer and quieted down to see what would happen next. Soon enough Steve produced a nice little cole from his kit. As he blew the ember into flame the boys excitement was near overflowing. We coaxed a small fire into existence feeding it small Western hemlock twigs. Despite the fact that Fire by Friction is not the skill focus for the Roosevelt Elk Calves this season it is important for them to see these skills in use and know that if they continue to practice their skills they too will be making fire by friction too.

We had a very pleasant closing meeting. Circled around the small fire the boys gave some very sincere and heartfelt thanks as they roasted slices of apple over the dying ember. As the circle ended We doused the fire and buried the ashes in trenches. By the time we left no one could tell where the fire had been. Thank you Roosevelt Elk Calves for an amazing season. You all were truly a joy to work with. Parents please check out our photo gallery for more pictures, It really is true that pictures speak louder than a thousand words.

Roosevelt Elk Calves Practice the Art of Shelter

The Roosevelt Elk Calves stampeded into the Parking lot at the base of Galbraith mountain on the clear but cold first day of November. This is the time of year when the transition from fall to winter seems almost complete, with the temperatures dropping and most of the leaves on the ground it is the perfect time of year to dive into the Art of Shelter building! This patch of woods is perfect for shelter building; large rolling hills located above lake padden with a mainly coniferous forest, but a healthy smattering of big leaf maples and other deciduous trees to provide ample debris.

We entered the Forest and found a place for our opening meeting. For the day after halloween and the effects of a massive sugar intake the night before the boys were surprisingly energetic yet focused. Steve and I started to talk about shelter building and the boys were immediately excited about building a shelter. We quickly talked about what kind of things we should be looking for in a good shelter spot (dry, lots of materials, hidden from the trail.) and what kind of things we should avoid (low spots that collect water, dead or partially fallen trees.). We all bounded off through the forest in search of the perfect spot. Soon we found one; Flat, open, in a hidden spot, plenty of good sticks, and huge Big Leaf Maples that had just dropped their leaves.

 After dropping our packs we spread out through the forest; some of us gather ridge poles and supports, others gathering rib pieces, and still others collecting “Y” poles to create the entry way. for a good twenty minutes we all gathered materials. When we all finally reconvened we had assembles a good pile of rib poles, sturdy supports, and long strong ridge poles. The boys were really motivated to start building and after looking at a simple diagram steve had brought the boys started laying sticks and pounding supports into the ground. It was really amazing how quickly the main structure of this shelter came together. The motto “Many Hands Make Light Work” has never been more true.

Soon we have the structure completed and begin gathering large armloads of Big Leaf Maple Leaves, releasing the damp earthy smell held inside. We take a break and steve tells us the story of Tom Brown learning the art of shelter  building by watching the Squirrels. We Continue to work. Armloads of Leaves, growing shelter, disappearing sticks, laughter, sweaters and coats full of leaves, how much light is in the shelter? Trying out the shelter, could you spend the night in this shelter? More debri, Working in teams, Lots more debri!, How long would it take to build this shelter with just one person? How long to build a shelter for all of us? what does a squirrel's nest look like?, many many armloads of debri, how much debri do we need on the shelter?

The shelter is now looking a lot more like something you could spend the night in. about two and a half feet of debri cover most of it and we have been working for about two hours straight. We take a break and begin to talk about how we want to spend the rest of the day. There is discussion of playing some games or working more on the shelter. After a mostly self facilitated conversation the boys decide to split in half with those that want to playing spiders web and the other half to continue working on the shelters. It took a little bit of time but it was really nice to see the boys reach this decision on their own.

In closing meeting we all admire the shelter we worked on that day as the boys swap stories from spiders web and shelter building. As we are giving thanks i am really struck with how focused and respectful all the boys as they give thanks and listen to each others words. These boys are really growing and becoming a very strong group. Parents you shout try to talk your sons into showing you our secret shelter spot, it is truly an impressive shelter. And explorers next time you are out with your family on a hike maybe you can share your knowledge of shelter building and survival.

Make sure to check out our photo gallery for more pictures!

Roosevelt Elk Calves Explore Lake Padden

Roosevelt Elk Calves Explore Lake Padden  Roosevelt Elk Calves first meeting of the season took place at Lake Padden Park. This park is known to many for the beautiful lake and the trail that skirts its perimeter. Our missions as Explorers on this day was to explore the steep forested hillsides and valleys that dominate the topography above the lake. These less traveled places are what draw our curiosity to explore and play on this land.

We met on the open field and played a fun game of Fox Tales and a quick name game to get to know one another. Soon the unseasonably warm sun had us all packing up for the protection and shade of the huge Douglas Firs, Cedars, and Hemlocks that grow in the upper reaches of the park. We made our way to the secret valley (Parents if you take your Explorers back to Lake Padden they just might show you where this spot is) for our opening meeting. Along the way we could not resist the temptation to play a few rounds ofHide! The Sword Fern and logs provided such perfect camouflage. We soon reached a small clearing that was perfect for opening meeting. Being the first opening meeting of the season it is exciting and important to remind ourselves of Explorers Club culture and set our new intentions for the upcoming season. It took some time and energy to gather the boys into a circle, but we soon achieved this and began to hand out jobs and talk about our Earth skills focus for Fall season (shelter building and survival!). As the circle came to a close the boys energy exploded into a chants and shouts to playSpider’s Web. Although there were many that did want to play there were several that did not. We stuck with it and finally reached a consensus not to play, but to continue on in search of another spot for Spider’s Web. This decision was by no means easy and pushed the edge for many boys; for those that took the decision making process seriously and collaborated with each other the mentors were truly impressed by their patience and ability to express themselves. For many of the boys making decisions as a group is new, and they are exactly where they need to be right now. These group decisions take a lot of time but they are such an important part of creating a strong cohesive group that can continue to explore all season.

After wrestling with the decision-making process the Explorers did what they do best!  Fallen Cedar trees, Sword Fern, Hide!, bush waking, sliding down hillsides, discussions of white spiders, Devils Club, exploring, playing Wolf Stalks Deer, telling stories, lounging in the sun, watching hikers without being seen, more sliding down sandstone hillsides, and of course lots more exploring.

We had found a perfect spot to eat lunch on a small flat spot part way up a steep hillside. As soon as lunch was finished the call for Spider’s Web was again voiced. There were some boys that felt uncomfortable playing because they did not know this new place well, but after Tim suggested that playing games is sometimes the best way to learn a new place these boys felt more comfortable with playing. Again this decision took a while but everyone had a chance to speak and thanks to some strong leadership by a few Explorers we were able to agree on playing. It was a great spot to play and gave us a great opportunity to explore the land and enjoy the competition.

Closing circle and the practice of giving thanks is a very important part of the day. We have a motto in boys explorers club: strong beginning, strong middle, and strong end. This strong end is really important after having such a great day and part of this strong end is focus and respect for the closing circle. Again most of the boys showed very strong commitment to this, spoke from the heart, and held their focus. Our edge as a group is making clear decisions as a cohesive unit. With so much great energy and excitement in a group this can be challenging but the power is in this same enthusiasm for embracing every moment.  As mentors we are here to challenge these boys where they need challenging and bring out strengths. The outing went very well and as always it was such a joy to explore with these boys! I am confident with so many focused and good leaders in the group they can set an example for those that are not there yet to create a strong group for the rest of the season.

For more pictures from the outing please visit the Roosevelt Elk Calves Photo Gallery.

Exploring Chuckanut Creek with the Roosevelt Elk Calves

The Mentors would like to thank the Roosevelt Elk Calves parents for their flexibility and patience with our scheduling mishap on Sunday. Due to a misread of our internal calendar the Mentors went to the wrong location resulting in our late arrival to the outing. One of the many skills we try to convey to the Explorers and practice within our own lives is recognizing when we have made a mistake, owning it, and figuring out how address or amend the issue. Again, we send our apologies.

After that slight hiccup the Mentors arrived at Arroyo Park to greet the Roosevelt Elk Calves and their families. Anxious to get exploring the group quickly walked down the trail and found a wonderful spot by Chuckanut Creek to hold an opening meeting. The group introduced themselves to a new Mentor named Adnan.  Adnan is currently interning with the Explores Club and hopes to gain more insight and experience in the way the Explorers serve and connect with the land. We are grateful to have him in our program and are excited for him to share some of the Explorers Club culture with the youth in his community in Northern Pakistan. Being that it was Adnan’s first exploration the boys shared the importance of the Explorer’s culture of jobs within the group and the potential safety hazards that we would need to watch out for. The boys did a great job and are really stepping into their leadership.

Mentors took a moment to talk to the group about their commitment to Stick Culture and using tools with intention. We also reminded the group that the Mentors are assessing the group’s actions and commitment to this culture. Within a few seasons the group will be ready to carve and it is now in the groups hands to show that they are ready for the responsibility. 

As the group snacked we set our intention for the day. Feeling the call in response to the Explorers request, the Mentors decided to give up much of theArt of Water curriculum we had planned and instead explore the land scouting for the perfect place to play Spider’s Web.

In our overscheduled high stress culture it is vital that the Explorers and Mentors get out and engage in play. Games offer us a way to test our skills, challenge ourselves, work together, and build our confidence. When Explorers play games with honor and integrity they slowly learn to meet all challenges in their lives with this same mindset. As Mentors we know that this idea of play not only helps us connect with others and ourselves, it also allows us to engage in an ongoing relationship with the land. When an Explorer crouches under the cover of a Sword Fern waiting for their opportunity to move the land becomes their teacher; offering them learning opportunities that come naturally through their curiosity and out of necessity.    

Following Chuckanut Creek the Explorers thought they would teach Adnan a little more about our culture by calling Hide! As the group went diving into the bushes it was clear that the joke was on the finder. A number of downed trees and branches littered the forest floor and provided the perfect camouflage. After the game we challenged the Explorers to think back to the cause of all these downed trees. The group remembered back to the winter storm that brought all the snow to the lowlands. Learning to read the land cultivates our connection to the seasons and helps us make sense of the landscape.

As we hiked further the Salmonberries and Stink Currant got higher and higher until it felt as though we were in a maze. Suddenly we were stopped dead in our tracks by the riverbank, which looked like the end of the trail to the Roosevelt Elk Calves. Scouting along the group noticed a very unique rise in the land and a prominent shelf on the opposite side of the bank. The group agreed that it would be a great place to play Spider’s Web so they searched for a way to cross the creek. Before going across Greg demonstrated the safe way to traverse a river with a backpack on. Greg explained that by unbuckling the chest and waist belt we give ourselves the ability to free ourselves from the pack incase we fall in. This skill will become useful in a few years when we are fording a river with heavy packs on. Finding a downed log the Explorers one by one shimmied across with some careful spotting from Adnan and Greg.

The group played and splashed on the far side of the creek, admiring the large bank of rivers rocks until the Mentors called them together to scout the potential game area. Anxious to play the group started to break the circle and explore. Quickly Greg called the group back together as they were not aware of a major hazard that was abundant in the area. Walking over to a dense thicket the group was introduced to a plant called Devil’s Club.

Oplopanax horridus or Devil’s Club is a tall shrub that often grows at the bottom of river valleys across the Northwest. This shrub is a powerful source of medicine, which can be used for common coughs and colds, stomach ulcers, tuberculosis and even hypoglycemia. It can be steeped into teas, mashed into salves, chewed, and steamed. Although this plant is medicine it also has an effective way of guarding its precious gift. Devil’s Club’s giant woody stems and coarse leaves are covered top to bottom in brittle spines. These spines lodge themselves into the skin, breaking off into micro fragments and are irritants worse than Stinging Nettles, eventually causing an infection if left in the skin for too long.

The group set up the game using the prominent shelf as the Spider’s lair, giving him a ridgeline advantage. With the creek rushing below us the Explorers climbed the steep lower flank of Chuckanut Mountain, crawling through the maze of Sword Fern and Devil’s Club. While we were playing one of the Mentors came across a Red-tailed Hawk Skull. The group took a moment to marvel at its unique bone structure.

Using the protection of the hillside the flies managed to capture the food source twice from the Spider. Calling the group back together we had a great conversation about camouflage strategies and the importance of treading lightly on the land. Learning from our outing at Clayton Trailhead it’s important that we travel off trail and it’s also important that we take care of the land and tread lightly when we do.

Gathering our packs the group circled up on the river rocks to have a closing meeting. We shared some apples and gave thanks for the day. The boys gave thanks for the sunny weather, the ability to find a secluded place to playSpider’s Web, for getting to know the hazards of the land, for the creek and fresh water, and for a great bunch of friends to explore with. A big thanks goes out to the Explorers for stepping into leadership and growth this season. The Roosevelt Elk Calves are becoming a cohesive group and the Mentors look forward to extended exploration with them in our summer camps! 

Please visit our photo gallery for more pictures from the day.

Serving Connelly Creek with the Roosevelt Elk Calves

Arriving at the shore of Connelly Creek, the Roosevelt Elk Calves were greeted by the warmth of the sun and the lure of the creek.  For Beaver the sound of running water is thought to trigger dam building behavior: felling and arranging trees and saplings near the source.  For the explorers the sound of Connelly creek triggers an unstoppable need to explore the banks, jump the span, and test out rain boots.  By the time all the boys had arrived the energy to venture into the service site was immense! 

We held a brief opening meeting to help Mentor Greg (who was finally free from illness) with the names of the new explorers.  After finishing we were greeted by a member of the Daredevils Club who told us that as we walked the trail in we would be “ambushed”.  To ambush a group in explores club we typically hide close to a trail and see if we can remain unseen.  The challenge for the Roosevelt Elk Calves was to see how many explorers they could spot who were hidden.  After finding only a few, we gathered with the older boys to learn more about the service work we would be doing that day.

Our tasks for the day were as follows: trim reed cannarygrass, dig blackberry roots, and lop away blackberry stems... AND get to know the Daredevils Club, who were older than us and were willing to help show us the ropes. But before we sprang into action, it was important to get a good idea of the big picture. Steve showed our combined group two locations on the site. One was the result of ten years of work. The reed canary grass was nearly non-existent; trees established; shrubs producing flower and berry; Anna’s hummingbirds soaring joyfully through the landscape. The second was our actual work area, which now has seen two years worth of work. Already, this site has been remarkably transformed, and there is still work to do. By looking at the first location, we had a good idea of what the landscape would turn into.

Mentors Matt and Dave took the Daredevils Club over to the service site to begin working while the Roosevelt Elk Calves had lunch and a tool safety talk with Greg and Steve.  Greg took a moment to share how learning to use the service tools safely and treat them with respect was the first step of the journey to the art of carving. 

After some lunch the Explorers joined the Daredevils Club who were waiting to help the Elk Calves get started. By the end of the day we had cut back the reed canary grass, dug out several garbage cans full of Himalayan Blackberry root, and removed a lot of garbage from our service site.  Our overall goal this spring is plant some native shrubs to help shade out the canary grass, and mulch down the blackberry.  The work that the boys do bringing this boarder of Connelly creek back into balance is noticed and appreciated by the neighbors of the park, who often come to see the work we’re doing and share their thanks.

Thanks for your great work, Explorers!!! You did a wonderful job, and the land is grateful. Parents, thank you for supporting these Explorers and for giving them the chance to serve the land with us.  Don’t forget to check out pictures from our outing in the photo gallery.

Our next outing is on May 18th at Arroyo Park, Steve and Greg are already looking forward to exploring that fantastic spot with all of you!

Connelly Creek Traverse with the Roosevelt Elk Calves

Boy, was it nice when we all met last Saturday at Marine Park! The sun was shining it sure felt like the spring that we know and love. Roosevelt Elk Calves were full of energy and mentors were excited to funnel them upstream like the salmon they came to understand and mimic.

The Connelly Creek Traverse is an opportunity for Explorers to follow Padden and then Connelly Creeks upstream from Bellingham Bay. This is to put ourselves in the mindset and body of the salmon that have been migrating like this for many years. With the culvert under Old Fairhaven Parkway recently removed around 22nd Street, those salmon made it to Connelly Creek last fall for the first time in over 80 years, one resident told us.

We end the outing at the Boys EC service site at Connelly Creek in Happy Valley Park. Next outing the boys will do some salmon habitat restoration there. So our hope is that the boys can start to piece together the connections between their journeying, their service work, and the species that inhabit the lands we explore and serve. Or simply, that they have fun on a long walk on a gorgeous spring day!

We played games at Marine Park to release the pent up energy after a long week in classrooms. Tim filled in for Steve who was recertifying his Wilderness First Responder certification. David K joined as a volunteer mentor too. Roosevelt Elk Calves and mentors became part of the herd and the third mentor transformed into a cougar that tried to eat the elk running through his forest. It was fun to run around and avoid getting tagged.

Hunger set in and we needed a place to eat lunch. Dave led us to a bluff above the water treatment facility and we enjoyed food and water with a nice view. A tiny hill eventually became the center of attention as boys created and played an impromptu game of tag that involved them trying to climb atop of the mound. It’s amazing to me just how spontaneous and natural it was for these Explorers to create a game together, develop rules, and focus on their tiny world. I think we could have stayed there for hours if we didn’t have a traverse to complete.

We rolled down the hill and began the understanding of plant knowledge. We shouldn’t pick any plants we cannot identify. Some are food, and others are poisons. Others are medicine and nearby there are plants that could kill us. In the end, we began the plant identification journey and recognized just how vital it is that we form relationships with these botaneous (made-up word) comrades.

Games of Hide! ensued as we wound our way up trail and upstream to Padden Creek. For the next two hours we traversed twenty-two blocks, took many breaks along the way, joked, and enjoyed the shade. Please ask your Explorer if he can remember the names of any tree or plant species we identified during our walk. Does he remember the medicine tree that Dave showed them? Do they remember the bird’s nest that looks like a sock? Does he have any funny stories to share about a fellow Explorer?

After long last we made it to the confluence of Connelly and Padden creeks. What a peaceful place! The Roosevelt Elk Calves took to it like it was their own home. They were keen to explore its banks and dive into its waters. The service bug must have nipped them early because they spent some time trying to remove dams so that the salmon would have clearer paths through which to swim.

We had a closing meeting and followed the motto, Attitude of Gratitude, as we participated in a Circle of Thanks. I am thankful that we had such nice weather and that Explorers deepened their relationship to the Connelly Creek watershed.

Well done Explorers for making the entire journey! Parents, thank you for your support of these boys as they connect with the land and each other… or at least for dropping us off and picking us up on both ends while we played for five hours in between :)

Please see the photo gallery for more pictures of the outing. See you next time, at the Connelly Creek Service Site on April 27th at noon!

Navigating the South Lost Lake Trail with the Roosevelt Elk Calves

Arriving at the Clayton Beach Parking lot the Roosevelt Elk Calves circled up for a day of excitement. There had been some changes from last season; there were a few new members to the group! After we learned each other’s names we revisited the Explorers Club culture that is so vital to our outings. While discussing jobs, safety, and a general plan for the day some of the Explorers started to lose focus and derail the group’s conversation. Since We Are All Leaders it is important that each of us recognize that we have power within the group. When we interrupt others while they are sharing we misuse our power while taking away others. The boys are grasping and engaging in forms of circular leadership. This style of leadership is a vital soft skill necessary for working within our communities. Within the group’s circle there is an open space to work with these experiences and challenges and grow from within.

Hiking up the South Lost Lake Trail the group quickly headed into a grove of healthy second growth Cedar, Douglas, and Grand Fir. Under the tall canopy the forest was damp and cold. The group stopped to admire a stream that flowed directly on the side of the trail. Spring in its abundance is the perfect opportunity to view how water shapes the landscape. Tracking the land over the course of the seasons allows us to build a relationship with it and see the story it tells. Looking ahead the group saw large cedar limb that had come down in last snowfall. Working together and synchronizing our movements we carried the giant branch to the side of the trail.

It only took a few moments until someone shouted Hide! Explorers went diving under the Sword Ferns and downed limb. Moving a little farther along Dave took a step off the trail and called the group over. Dave suggested to them that we head down to a grove of large cedars a little ways off trail. Excited the group started forward, stopping them the Mentors explained to the group that walking off trail requires awareness. The Explorers were tasked with the challenge of navigating to the grove without stepping on anything living. Engaging their fox feet the boys walked with intention and caution. Getting off trail with the group is important as it engages our relationship with the land. The forest is not a static entity but rich and vibrant. When we move through with curiosity and care we stubble upon the landscapes mysteries and beauty.

Arriving at the Cedar stand the group snacked and wandered about. Combing thickets of Salmonberries, Swamp Cabbage and fallen Alders adjacent to the grove the group looked like a family of Raccoons. Searching out a little farther we walked across a forest floor thick with Cedar bows. Taking a little break the group rested on a soft bed of Cedar branches on the forest floor.

Coming back together at our lunch spot the Explorers encountered another opportunity to engage in a group process. Feeling the call to move the boys had to bring their minds together to decide which direction to head next.Collaborating and Compromising the group decided to explore one more spot and then navigated back up the main trail.

Throughout the course of the outing the Explorers had been gathering sticks. This stick gathering had caused some arguments over ownership and misuse. Feeling the need for triangular leadership Dave and I stepped in and fielded a discussion on stick culture. Revisiting our motto A Tool Vs. A Weapon we asked the question once again what is the difference? A few of the Explorers answered ‘you’. In Explorers Club we use tools and it’s about the intention that we put into tool that cultivates our respect and appreciation for them. After agreeing to some basic guidelines for stick use the group was ready to use their best intentions moving forward.

As we hiked Dave mentioned a couple of caves that he had found in a pile of glacial erratics at the bottom of a steep ridgeline. Anxious to explore the caves the group hiked with focus until we found the spot. Circling the group up again the Mentors had them commit to exploring the caves with awareness of the imprints we leave.  The last time a group explored here they slid down the rock faces and took some of the established moss with them. The group swore that they would climb through the caves but would not slide down them. As the Explorers crawled and maneuvered through the holes they would pop up twenty feet elsewhere on another side of the rock.  As a group of Pikas darted in and out of the rocks one of the Mentors started heading up the steep ridgeline towards a glacially carved shelf with a prominent sandstone cliff line. The rest of the group followed in suit. Climbing the shoulder of the ridgeline the group moved like Black Bears, climbing over boulders and wading through waist deep Salal.

Reaching the shelf we found views of the Puget Sound and sturdy Madronas leaning out over the cliffs edge, reaching for the light. Behind us was an open valley full of Huckleberries, Salal, and Douglas Fir. The spirit of adventure off the trail had provided the group a pristine and scared place of solitude. It was time for a sit spot. The boys spread out over land finding a place that called to them. Nestled under the Salal and forest canopy the Explorers got quiet and listened to the land. The sound of birds calling through the canopy, the rustle of Salal leaves as an animal moved close by, the sound of the wind as it moved through a tree; it is these moments that fill us with wonder and delight.

Coming back in for a closing circle on our vista the Roosevelt Elk Calves gave thanks. We thanked the spirit of adventure for showing us mysteries and challenges, the power of water to change our landscape, the gift that sun brings to a cold and wet forest, the damp and dark cave rocks that hold in spaces places below the soil, and for the ability to work as a group and get to know one another. The Mentors are delighted to share another season with the Explorers and want to give a big thanks to all the parents and volunteer staff that work tirelessly to support the Explorers Club. 

Please visit our photo gallery for more pictures from the outing. 

BEC Roosevelt Elk Calves Explore South Lake Padden Park

With excitement brewing, the Roosevelt Elk Calves and their mentors gathered at the southeast corner of Lake Padden Park to prepare for their final exploration of the season. The forests that surround Lake Padden Park are a little different from the forests that the boys have been exploring this season. There are a few stands of older Douglas fir and Western hemlock that almost beg you to step off the trail and wander about and it was one such location that the mentors had in mind for our destination.  The explorers and mentors decided that the opening meeting and distribution of jobs should be postponed until we had traveled into the forest and had left the busy parking area behind.  

As we left the lake behind we traveled through groves of Big Leaf maple, Red alder and Western red cedar that gave way to patches of wetlands along the margins of upper Padden Creek.  After a slow climb out of the wetland zone we stepped out into the sunshine of the powerline coridor.  The time was right for the opening meeting. The explorers and mentors were able to get jobs assigned and gear passed out and have a snack while dodging runners, walkers, dogs and horses.  The Roosevelt Elk Calves were ready to head to a quieter section of the forest so onward they climbed.  After a brief hike and a couple of rounds of HIDE!, we arrived at a fantastic mixed stand of Douglas-Fir and Western Hemlock.  Many of the trees were likely 200+ years old!  After stepping off the trail one of the mentors was transformed into a deer and the Explorers and steve found the predatory energy of cougars.  The chase was on, but it proved challenged to follow this wiley mentor off the trail through the undergrowth of the forest floor.  The Roosevelt Elk Calves ran, stalked, crawled and stumbled their way after their mentor finally catching him in a small grove of Cedar trees.  From this vantage point it was clear that we needed to explore this corner of the park and get to know it!

There was little convincing needed to start a game of spider's web with the boys, which is a fantastic game for learning the contours of the landscape as you carefully sneak towards the spider and the difficult to reach food source. Our previous games had been in challenging locations, but a stand of large old trees tends to have lots of open space under the canopy.  Mentors love places like this for these games because there are so many fantastic places to hide if you let yourself crawl along under the Sword Ferns and along the decaying logs that carpet the forest floor.  After nearly one and a half hours of sneaking and searching the mentors called the boys in to recap the game and talk more about strategy, stealth, and sportsmanship.  Everybody was dirty, smiling, and tired from a great game!  

To finish the day the Roosevelt Elk Calves found a quiet place in forest that had now become familiar from sneaking and hiding for a Sit Spot.  The boys and mentors found places against the trunks of trees, on comfortable old logs and right down in the duff for a few minutes of peaceful contemplation in the fading light of the afternoon.  The sound of the mentor's crow call brought the boys into the closing meeting not only the outing but also the fall.  Steve and Greg had sage words for the boys about their journey as a group thus far. The Roosevelt Elk Calves have become a solid group and the coming spring season should usher in some exciting opportunities to hone our skills of communication, leadership, and awareness.  What an excellent beginning!  A heartfelt circle of thanks was created as we honored each other and the forest for another great outing.  

Realizing that the explorers and mentors had only 15 minutes to return to the parking lot the group raced back towards waiting parents.  Despite running and racing, we emerged from the forest a bit late to find a host of smiling faces eagerly awaiting stories from these outstanding boys.  It is a wonderful sight to see all the love and support awaiting these fellows when they return from these outings.  Thank you parents for your support this season! Spending time with your boys has been such a privilege.  We are already looking forward to Spring!

Introduction to Service at Sehome Arboretum with the Roosevelt Elk Calves

Driving up the road to Sehome Arboretum it was clear that fall was in the air. As we gathered the Roosevelt Elk Calves practically jumped out of their parent’s cars from their eagerness and excitement to playSpider’s Web. Yes, it seems as though for the last two weeks the Explorers had been plagued by their inability to play Spider’s Web. As we circled up we asked if anyone had observed anything out of the ordinary while driving up the road. A few Explorers mentioned that they had seen others doing invasive species removal and service projects. Greg and I told the group that it was very exciting to see others out engaging in service on this same piece of land, as the Explorers would come to find out Many Hands Make Light Work. After playing a guessing game and doing some impromptu mushroom identification the group headed up the hill just above the sandstone tunnel. We walked the ridgeline and played on the formations until we found a beautiful spot to have an opening meeting. Just as I started to call the group in Greg called Hide, everyone went diving into the bushes.

Circling back up we began our opening meeting by recognizing the changing season. From our position on the ridgeline is was easy to see the abundant piles of Big Leaf Maple leaves that scattered the forest floor, adding their beautiful yellow and orange color to the landscapes scenery.  Last outing we discovered that colors that don’t blend into the landscape really stand out in games like Spiders Web.  Touching back to the Art of Camouflage, Mentors looked at the red, yellow and orange colors the boys were wearing and explained how these colors could be a hindrance in one location and could also be great asset elsewhere.  The Mentors left it up to the Explorers to explain and volunteer for each of the jobs. They also flushed out all the safety concerns that Sehome Arboretum might harbor, for example the large sandstone cliffs just behind us. Before we broke our circle the Explorers requested that we go to the tower. Greg and I told the group that we could go at the end of the outing, but first we had some important work to do. Sitting in the brisk, foggy air we started to get a little chilly and the Explorers were eager to get moving.   While the group played Hide on the ridgeline one of the Mentors snuck down the trail, out of sight of the group. As the Explorers emerged from the Snowberry and Indian Plum Greg asked, “Wait, where is Steve?” Just then the Explorers heard the call of a lone wolf. Greg explained that they had become a pack of wolves and that they needed to track the lone wolf in order to unite the pack. Listening to the distant howl the Explorers ran after the wolf. After a few of them had found the lone wolf the pack heard the Crow Call from Greg and they gathered back up. Greg explained to the pack that they had all ran across a six way trail intersection and had split in three different directions. The Mentors had forgotten to touch on one very important detail before we playedWolf Pack, the pack must stay together. This ensures that we travel safely and that we have all our important jobs represented in case something was to happen. Having recognized our need for cohesion and community, Mentors found that this was the perfect segue into the work that we were to do that day.

We followed a trail that lead down the west facing aspect of Sehome Hill and found a patch of young English Ivy. We dropped our packs and Mentors instructed the group to look at both sides of the trail and notice the differences. One side had a forest floor comprised of primarily Salal and English Ivy while the other held a much richer diversity of Red Huckleberry, Swords Ferns, and Oregon Grape, among others. English Ivy is well adapted to the mild Pacific Northwest climate; it grows all year round in Western Washington and can out-compete many other species. Mentors explained that diversity is key to having stability in our wild landscapes and within its food chain, and since we are a part of the landscape our stability is tied directly to these principles.  In Explorers Club we serve not only to insure our stability, we also serve because the land and its biotic community intrinsically hold value and share the gift of life. As the Explorers serve the landscape they will come to realize that they are interdependent with a much larger community and it is their service and commitment to that community that will cultivate and hone them into leaders that guide with integrity and compassion.

Grabbing a leaf the Mentors showed the group how to identify and get to know this plant. English Ivy can have three to five lobes on its leathery leaves but it can also be un-lobed depending on the sub-species. The Ivy’s alternate branching structure first spreads out over the forest floor. Once roots have established themselves they slowly climb up plants and trees, eventually pollinating after a few years. English Ivy damages the structural integrity of the trees, slowly suffocating and exposing them to rot. Its matted root system also causes erosion.

After this long discussion we got to pulling. First we worked to free the Douglas Fir trees that had Ivy growing almost to the top. Working together we picked the Ivy out of the deep bark and cleared a perimeter around its base by pulling the roots out. As we pulled the boys quickly developed the ability to recognize the difference between Washington’s native Trailing Blackberry and English Ivy, ouch! We stressed the importance of extracting the Ivy and piling it on the trail so the parks department could pick it up. English Ivy has the ability to take root from a single leaf, which makes it very easy to spread.  Working side by side with the Explorers is such a treat. The boys made a challenge of trying to pull the longest vine of Ivy that they could without it breaking; I believe the record was twenty-three feet. The Explorers served with excellent attitudes and put a lot of effort in.

After one last push on the English Ivy we scooped up their packs and they headed down the trail for Spider’s Web and the tower. The Mentors called the group back in and they had some difficulty focusing their minds. After doing their service it was important for the group to recognize what we were just engaged in and how we had served.  Greg and I asked the group, “Was our intention today was to kill the Ivy?” and some replied “yes”. Mentors explained that our intention should not be to kill, but to work towards restoring balance and diversity in the landscape.

 The group followed a side trail on their way back up to the tower and found a steep valley laden with Sword Fern. It was the perfect stop to play a quick game of Spider’s Web. By the time the game ended we had run out of time to go to the tower and we quickly circled up for a closing meeting.  Sharing apples together the Explorers gave thanks for: the opportunity to serve their community, the misty fall weather, the developing relationships and for Sehome Arboretum. Their introduction to service was a powerful outing that they will not soon forget. Don’t forget to check out pics of the day in our photo gallery.